The name may or may not help in the long run, but even Google might have sounded as funny as DuckDuckGo back then.

If you don't know about DuckDuckGo yet, then you have been deaf to the quacks this one has been making as an alternative search engine to Google. Its main claim to fame has been that it does not track you. Privacy promised and delivered. What about performance?

DuckDuckGo is the David to Google's Goliath and it still hasn't found the right slingshot to slay the giant. But it has been throwing some pretty good "rocks". Read that as "features" and then really read some of the cool features of DuckDuckGo.

Instant Answers is a collection of DuckDuckGo Goodies that tap into more than 100 sources to give you answers to your searches in a zero-click info box below the search field. Here are ten from the huge list that should make your online search life somewhat easier.

Find Money Saving Coupons

DuckDuckGo Coupon Discounts

Try the Coupons instant answer.

The example shows one tried out with Canon. You can try it with any brand name and see what the CouponMountain coupon code website throws up. Even a suggestion of a deal is an excuse to go out hunting for better ones elsewhere. You can also click on More at CouponMountain to see what else is on offer.

Watch Movies With Your Favorite Starring Cast

DuckDuckGo Movie Search

Try the Movies with...instant answer.

Google does this with its Knowledge Graph. Just so you know, DuckDuckGo manages it well it with the same query. In some of the queries I tried out (like the one above), Google missed a movie here and there. Does this simple query smooth over some Saturday evening arguments when each partner wants to watch their favorites? If only life was that simple!

Use A Stopwatch

DuckDuckGo Stopwatch

Try the stopwatch instant answer.

Google had it. DuckDuckGo has it too with the added bonus of a lap timer. If you have been looking for a dead simple timer or even a counter for doing some intense interval training in front of the computer, this could solve your problem elegantly. You don't need my article on online timers for everyday stuff. I do wish someone would add a "beep" alarm to it – it would make for a good Pomodoro tool!

Expand Short URLs

DuckDuckGo URL Expander

Try the Show a shortened URL instant answer.

This DuckDuckGo goodie uses the Long URL service to remove one of the doubts behind every shortened URL – what's the shortened URL really hiding? URL shortening services solved the problem of really long URLs but also created a security ambiguity. There are many services which unravel a short URL without you needing to go to the target site...DuckDuckGo makes it a zero-click job.

Expand Your Vocabulary

DuckDuckGo Find Similar Words

Try the Related words instant answer.

It is a basic rule of good writing that one should avoid overuse of the same words. That's where a synonym-enriched vocabulary comes into its own. Or you could cheat with DuckDuckGo and use this instant answer to get a list of similar words.

For The Love Of Lorem

DuckDuckGo Lorem Ipsum Generator

Try the Lorem ipsum instant answer.

Lorem ipsum generators abound on the Web for a reason. If you do an iota of work online, you will be surprised to know the uses you can put some random placeholder text to. Though it has its share of critics, dummy text is often required to fill up spaces in creative projects.

Generate Strong Passwords

DuckDuckGo Password Generator

Try the Password instant answer.

Create random strong passwords of any length. The most common method of creating passwords is using random numbers and letters. Change the numeric value in the above query to change the length of the passwords.

Quick Zipcodes

DuckDuckGo Find Zipcodes

Try the Zipcode instant answer.

Type in a zipcode and check the corresponding location. The query taps into data from MapQuest.com, so any country recorded there would be covered by the instant answer on DuckDuckGo. The reverse – typing in the name of a place and getting the zipcode unfortunately doesn't fetch an instant answer in the search engine.

Instant Loan Calculator

DuckDuckGo Instant Loan Calculator

Try the Loan payment instant answer.

No one likes to pay back a loan, but when you have taken one it makes sense to plan a prudent repayment plan even before you sign for it. Just change the variables and you won't need to bring out your calculator.

And Of Course – The Weather

DuckDuckGo Weather

Try the Weather forecast instant answer.

Google also does it really well. But there's something about the clean-cut minimalism of Forecast.io from where DuckDuckGo sources this instant answer. If you haven't been introduced yet, head here to a previous review of this elegant weather app.

Looking For More Goodies?

Find more on the goodies page. From cryptography to games – the umbrella is big and wide. If you don't find what you are looking for, you can hack your own instant answers with some coding chutzpah. If you don't know Pearl from Python suggest an idea and the community might help you out.

DuckDuckGo may remain the bridesmaid and never be the bride, but just like Wolfram Alpha (another alternative search engine), it has its uses. The search engine is on the verge of launching a revamped version with more powerful features. Try out the old and new and tell us in the comments if DuckDuckGo has a place next to Google. Of course, tell us about any Instant Answer you use too.